** The wireless is enabled on this laptop by pressing the function (Fn) key and F10 key at the same time. Note that the wireless needs to be turned on every time the computer is restarted.

Drivers

Your laptop should have been supplied with a Utility CD which contains a copy of the user manual and all the drivers. The Advent Computers website lists two lots of drivers for the 5712, one labelled as "Advent 5712 VP" and the other "Advent 5712 VHP".

Memory Upgrades

This laptop has one memory slot which is accessed by removing the expansion panel underneath the laptop (see "Bottom of Laptop" section below).

Adding RAM is the most cost effective way to boost your computer's performance.

Recovery Disc

Hard Drive Recovery

Should your Windows develop serious errors or fail to start, you can restore your computer back to factory settings by using the hard drive recovery located on a hidden partition on the hard drive.

To restore your computer back to factory settings, follow the steps below:

Turn on the computer and keep tapping F8 until the advanced options menu is displayed

Use the up/down arrow keys on the keyboard to highlight Repair Your Computer and press enter to select it

Select the language you wish to install (normally English is the only option)

Once you have chosen your language you will be presented with the available recovery options

Microsoft Repair Environment - after choosing the UK keyboard layout you will be asked to choose the Operating System you wish to repair. If Windows Vista is not listed then you cannot repair the OS without doing the full recovery. After choosing Vista the Microsoft Vista startup repair tool will run and attempt to repair any startup problems you are experiencing

Reinstall Windows - gives you the options available to reinstall Vista

Advanced Options - this launches the diagnostic centre allowing you to run chkdsk, launch notepad or bring up a command prompt

Exit & restart computer - Exits withut running the recovery process

To continue with the recovery program you need to choose Reinstall Windows

On the next screen you have the ability to launch Vista System Restore and roll back to a date when Vista was last working ok or to run the Full Destructive Recovery. To continue with the recovery program you need to choose Start Full Destructive Recovery

After choosing the Full Destructive Recovery option you are presented with the warning screen that all data will be lost. It is important to make sure all data has been backed up to disk if possible and to realise this process deletes all data and reverts the machine back to it's default state. To continue with the recovery program you need to tick the box indicating you are aware of data loss

The recovery process will then run through, the computer will restart a couple of times during this. You will also need to go through the Vista "Out of Box Experience", to configure Vista. This is fairly straightforward so just follow the onscreen instructions

DVD Recovery

Should your Windows develop serious errors or fail to start, you can restore your computer back to factory settings by using the Recovery DVD you may have created or been sent.

To restore your computer back to factory settings, follow the steps below.

Start the computer with the Recovery DVD in the optical disc drive

After the usual startup screen has vanished press a key when prompted to load from the DVD

Select the language you wish to install (normally English is the only option)

Once you have chosen your language you will be presented with the available recovery options

Microsoft Repair Environment - after choosing the UK keyboard layout you will be asked to choose the Operating System you wish to repair. If Windows Vista is not listed then you cannot repair the OS without doing the full recovery. After choosing Vista the Microsoft Vista startup repair tool will run and attempt to repair any startup problems you are experiencing

Reinstall Windows - gives you the options available to reinstall Vista

Advanced Options - this launches the diagnostic centre allowing you to run chkdsk, launch notepad or bring up a command prompt

Exit & restart computer - Exits withut running the recovery process

To continue with the recovery program you need to choose Reinstall Windows

On the next screen you have the ability to launch Vista System Restore and roll back to a date when Vista was last working ok or to run the Full Destructive Recovery. To continue with the recovery program you need to choose Start Full Destructive Recovery

After choosing the Full Destructive Recovery option you are presented with the warning screen that all data will be lost. It is important to make sure all data has been backed up to disk if possible and to realise this process deletes all data and reverts the machine back to it's default state. To continue with the recovery program you need to tick the box indicating you are aware of data loss

The recovery process will then run through, reinstalling Vista and also recreating the hard drive recovery system for future use.

When it has finished copying files it will ask you to remove the DVD and then restart the computer. It will then go through setting up Vista, you will need to go through the Vista "Out of Box Experience". This is fairly straightforward so just follow the onscreen instructions

Useful Links

Repairs and Spares

All official service and support is handled by Knowhow (basically "The Tech Guys" under a new name), their website is http://www.knowhow.com/. If you laptop is covered under warranty then you need to contact them for repairs.

There are also plenty of other companies that do repairs or supply spare parts, here is a selection -